I've been thinking about buying a new couch— but good furniture is expensive! Especially the big pieces — i.e. the things you need the most: a couch, a rug or two, a credenza, a table. Even chairs can get pricey. I visited my sofas at Crate & Barrel for many many months, saving up for them, before I purchased them. One of the writers over on Casa Sugar did too. But she parlayed those visits into a deep discount! Wanna learn how she did it?
Her big secret? Buy the floor model. While you'll often have to wait a while for a furniture store to change their display, these (usually!) barely worn pieces will eventually be sold for a lot less than buying a new one. Some outlets of stores (Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware) will often receive and sell these floor models or, if you can get the timing right, you may be able to get it from the main store. Of course, these pieces receive some wear and tear. In this case, the couch was delivered with a small flaw. Because of careful documentation, she was able, with a little respectful haggling, get the price down even further. For the full story see Casa Sugar | How I Scored a $1099 Couch For $250.
We'd like to add that if you do buy the floor model, we'd suggest you do the following when you receive it:
- Check it carefully when you buy it and when you receive it. If you find damage when it's still sitting on the floor, you may be able to get some money off for buying it "as is". If it's not damaged, you'll have a better idea of its condition and be able to note if anything does occur in transit. Document your piece, especially if you find any flaws when it's delivered, with good clear photos.
- Have it cleaned by a reputable upholstery cleaner. It's worth the money and they may also be able to Scotchguard it for you.
- Flip the pillows if the design allows. Since the top sides's been sat on for a while, you want to try and make sure there's equal wear and tear on both sides.
Have you ever scored a great bargain? How'd you do it — what's YOUR secret? Share your secrets in the comments.
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Here in Austin a local furniture store and distributor, Four Hands, has amazing warehouse sales every quarter where they sell slightly damaged or discontinued items. I had ordered our charcoal velvet sofa there for $1000 and then cancelled the order when they had a slightly damaged one (on the underside where no one would ever see) for $400! So, warehouse sales can have great deals.
Heather
www.heatherandmike.wordpress.com
all furniture shops are willing to barter. i once worked at a very up-scale furniture store and if customers asked, "Is that the best price?" they would automatically get 10-25% off. retailers ask double the price they paid, plus delivery, so taking a smaller cut is normal.
OK, I'm still waiting for my couch to arrive -- a grey velvet 10 foot chesterfield from a Leading Retailer who I am keeping on the downlow because I don't want Corporate to find out about the deal I got. Anyhow: I too visited said couch multiple times, and had a sales person work up the papers for me. I was looking at $5,000. I said I would have to wait to buy it - save my pennies -- and she said -- let me see if I can get you the move-in discount. No idea what that was but I was all for it. So that was 10 percent off -- getting closer. Well, I waited because I still couldn't quite see parting with $4,500 -- the idea made me feel terribly guilty (go to Craigslit for your couch and send the money to Haiti! my Catholic soul said). But I kept visiting the couch and calling back the saleswoman I dealt with to update her on my (unchanging) circumstances. Every time I called whoever answered the phone said they could take my order, I didn't need to wait for her to call me back. Each time I politely refused, standing by my girl (with the discount). I magically received a windfall that made me able to afford the couch. Still feeling Catholic guilt, I called my salewoman and told her I was ready. She said the other discount had expired but she would give me the designer discount (I am not a "real" designer with a tax ID code though I play one on my blog, and for my clients). And I said OK and she plugged in all the numbers and the cost to me was just $3,700, including tax!
Lesson: Show loyalty to your sales person (I think this made her hungry for my commission) and don't be afraid to explain your financial position and to ask for discounts. They have the power.
When I get my couch I will triumphantly post pictures and more details on below blog... but until then, I'm keeping a low profile just in case...
pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com
Just three weeks ago I purchased a major storage piece for my living room by waiting it out. It took a while (had to wait for all the boxed ones to sell), but I was able to get the floor model at a substantial discount. For floor models it's sometimes just a matter of being patient and checking obsessively.
I've bought a lot of floor models over the years. Dings don't matter, except to reduce price, since I naturally distress my furniture with use. Besides, I'm leery about ordering furniture unless it's in a local warehouse with a very fast ETA.
I've looked for a cute vintage sofa for quite sometime now. Looked on many sites, lushpad, mybluesofa, craigslist, etsy, and finally found it at a yardsale near my house.
Does anyone have a good/reputable upholstery cleaner in the NYC area? I finally found my perfect reading chair from craigslist and it needs a nice clean.
Most stores offer discounts but you have to ask for them. We've gotten discounts from Artemide, Cisco, DWR, Jules Seltzer and local secondhand shops in LA. We've also called the toll-free numbers on web dealers' sites and gotten lower prices for high end brands by simply asking-- AND if they're shipping to us from out of state we aren't charged sales tax. It NEVER hurts to ask for a lower price in this economy.
Find out who actually manufactures the furniture. For example, a few years ago while I was shopping for new living room furniture a salesperson happened to mention that the line he carried was also the manufacturer of some Storehouse (RIP) and Crate and Barrel furniture. Rowe Furniture to be exact. Hello Cameron sofa (C&B) you look just like my Horizon sofa from Rowe Furniture. I got the sofa, chair, and ottoman for $1400 with tax. Less than the sofa alone at C&B. The Rowe website lists dealers in your area. And no, I do not work for them.
I've seen so many stores go under here, often disappearing from one visit to the next. That's why I don't like to leave my money at a furniture, or any, store in exchange for papers, regardless of promised discounts.
Excellent point...go to a boutique furniture store and find something you like, find out who the manufacturer is (they usually have full catalogs from that manufacturer) and then contact them directly. I recently did that and saved 40% (which was the mark up the furniture store had).
Overstock.com actually has some great deals from time to time. Oh, and also Home Goods... but it's a hit and miss.